Adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who are prescribed metformin experience reductions in atherosclerosis progression and LDL cholesterol, according to results of the REMOVAL* study. However, the impact of metformin on glycaemic control in these patients is limited.

Denosumab brings greater gains in spine and hip bone mineral density (BMD) than risedronate in glucocorticoid-treated patients at risk of osteoporotic fracture, according to results of a phase III study presented at the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Annual Congress 2017 in Madrid, Spain.

Insulin degludec had comparable cardiovascular safety and reduced the risk of severe hypoglycaemia compared with insulin glargine U100 in patients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk, according to results of the DEVOTE* study.

“[Severe] hypoglycaemia is another very relevant safety issue for both providers and patients, and it is a goal of therapy to lower glucose values in a safe and effective way to reduce microvascular complications.”

“The [DEVOTE] trial demonstrated that [insulin] degludec was as safe as [insulin] glargine with respect to cardiovascular outcomes and safer with respect to hypoglycaemia risk,” he said.

Between October 2013 and November 2014, 7,637 patients with type 2 diabetes and at high risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; mean age 65 years, mean diabetes duration 16.4 years, mean HbA1c 8.4 percent) were randomized to receive insulin degludec (n=3,818) or insulin glargine U100 (n=3,819) once daily between dinner and bedtime in addition to standard-of-care therapy. Patients were followed up for a median 2 years.

Almost 84 percent of patients were receiving insulin at baseline and 85.2 percent of patients had chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, or both.

“The findings of the DEVOTE study are in line with previous clinical trials comparing insulin degludec to insulin glargine U100, so we are pleased to be able to provide conclusive evidence regarding the safety of insulin degludec for patients with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk of cardiovascular complications,” said Marso.

Adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who are prescribed metformin experience reductions in atherosclerosis progression and LDL cholesterol, according to results of the REMOVAL* study. However, the impact of metformin on glycaemic control in these patients is limited.

Denosumab brings greater gains in spine and hip bone mineral density (BMD) than risedronate in glucocorticoid-treated patients at risk of osteoporotic fracture, according to results of a phase III study presented at the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Annual Congress 2017 in Madrid, Spain.